International Development Committee puts spotlight on Yemen
The International Development Committee is to explore the scale of humanitarian need in Yemen and the main obstacles preventing a sustainable political settlement.
Tuesday’s evidence session with two expert panels will be the Committee's first to be focused on Yemen during this Parliament.
Since 2015, Yemen has been divided between the Iran-backed Houthis in the north and an internationally recognised government, now known as the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), in the south.
Since a national ceasefire in 2022, frontlines in the Yemen conflict have been stable. However, while the PLC has appointed a new government, it continues to face economic pressures, an absence of negotiations with the Houthis, and a lack of a unified armed force.
Witnesses on the first panel will cover the scale of humanitarian need in Yemen, the protracted displacement crisis and its impact on the humanitarian response.
The session comes as it is estimated that 23.1 million people (65% of the population) will need humanitarian assistance and protection in Yemen in 2026, and witnesses will be asked about the impact of the current conflict on the food crisis.
The first panel will also look at the barriers to effective humanitarian access in Yemen, particularly the detention of aid workers.
Meeting details
Witnesses on the second panel will update the Committee on tensions across the country, as well as on the motivations of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
They are likely to be asked about the main obstacles preventing a sustainable peace settlement in Yemen, and they could also be pressed on what the UK could do to support peace and stability in the country.